BY COMEWLL OGBEBOR
BENIN CITY : A woman, Madam Gladys Ayela – Uwangue has pleaded passionately with all who are concerned with the plight of the girl- child to help save the life of her daughter, Dashem Osakioyamen Ayela – Uwangue who is facing the danger of forcible female gentital mutilation.
Madam Gladys Ayela-Uwangue who hails from Oghada community in Uhunmwonde LGA of Edo state, says her family goaded by the elders of the community are demanding that she presents her teenage daughter for the traditional ritual of female circumcision before she attains 18 years of age.
“They, my husband’s people and the elders are insisting that my teenage daughter, Dashem Osakioyamen Ayela-Uwangue must be circumcised before she attains 18 years of age. I told them that I as a mother who once experienced the pain and trauma of female circumcision would not agree. Since I made my position known to them, some of them have resorted to threatening me and my daughter “, she said with tearful eyes.
Although, she acknowledges that the practice has been part of the age – long tradition in Oghada community, the embattled mother says circumcision would inflict bodily injury in the most sensitive part of her daughter’s body.
” I know that it’s part of the tradition in our community but it’s dangerous, and no loving mother would assent to it. No, they won’t circumcise my daughter. I would rather die than see it happen” , she vowed.
A girl- child advocate, Mrs Franca Ikpe says Female Genital Mutilation is a crime against the female gender. She noted that while the state has enacted a law abolishing the practice of female circumcision, many families and communities still cherish and practise it.
“It’s something that is steeped in the tradition of the people, that’s why most mothers are fighting a herculean battle over female circumcision” , Mrs Ikpe said
